A Browning man, Chasen James Kipp, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for a fatal crash on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Kipp, aged 25, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in December 2024. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the case.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on October 21, 2023. Kipp was driving a 2022 Dodge Charger near Cut Bank airport when he crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle driven by Jane Doe, who died at the scene from blunt force trauma.
Law enforcement officers reported that upon arrival at the crash site, they found Kipp attempting to flee and noted signs of intoxication. He admitted to consuming alcohol before driving and could not recall details of the crash until airbags deployed during impact.
The Montana Highway Patrol's investigation revealed that Kipp was speeding at 82 mph in a zone limited to 65 mph when he struck Doe’s vehicle. A toxicology report indicated his blood alcohol content was .114 and he had cocaine in his system.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office led the prosecution with investigative support from several agencies including the FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Cut Bank Police Department, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, and Montana Highway Patrol.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The program emphasizes trust-building within communities and strategic enforcement priorities.